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Author: Nzula Nzyoka

  • Calvo Mistari recalls how dinner preparations inspired new single ‘Baddest

    Calvo Mistari recalls how dinner preparations inspired new single ‘Baddest

    Kenyan musician Calvo Mistari has opened up about the unlikely circumstances that led to the creation of “Baddest”, the latest collaboration between himself and fellow artist Naiboi.

    According to Calvo Mistari, the feel-good afro-pop track was written during a casual evening as the duo prepared dinner together, with producer Dillie’s instrumental playing in the background.

    “We were actually cooking dinner when the song happened,” recalls Calvo Mistari. “Naiboi had the beat playing on loop and we just started feeding off each other’s energy. We laid the intro, then my verse and from there the song began taking shape.”

    The song is the fifth release from the duo’s forthcoming joint album, ‘308’, following the singles “Rudisha”, “All My Dreams”, “Zama” and “The Prize”.

    Released under their new publishing imprint Room 308, “Baddest” was produced by Dillie, with Musyoka handling mixing and mastering duties.

    Calvo Mistari and Naiboi say the track was designed to capture a positive and uplifting mood, drawing inspiration from a confident woman who effortlessly commands attention whenever she enters a room.

    “Baddest is all about good vibes. It’s about that person who walks into a room and immediately captures everyone’s attention. We wanted the song to feel fun, uplifting and make people want to dance. More than anything, we want listeners to enjoy the energy and feel-good spirit behind it,” the duo said.

    Featuring live guitar arrangements by Benjamin Kabaseke, bass guitar contributions from Sedar Malaki and additional background vocals from Amileena, the song combines African-inspired guitar melodies with an infectious groove that reflects the pair’s evolving sound.

    The release continues the creative momentum behind Room 308, a collaborative venture that brings together the talents of Calvo Mistari and Naiboi as they prepare to unveil more music from their forthcoming album.

    The duo, who have been living between Kenya and the US while pursuing new ventures and opportunities, first collaborated on the 2021 hit “Situation”.

  • Kenyan electronic ensemble say new song is about “movement, human connection”

    Kenyan electronic ensemble say new song is about “movement, human connection”

    Kenyan electronic music frontrunners, OneDown and L3GS, who released their first collaborative single, “Msafiri”, via Aduma Records, say the single is about the “shared human experience.”

    Named after the Swahili word for ‘traveller’, “Msafiri” is a hypnotic blend of Afro-house, electronic textures and percussive storytelling.

    The record brings together OneDown’s deep, emotive soundscapes and L3GS’ signature rhythmic precision, resulting in a track that feels both rooted and expansive.

    Driven by rolling basslines, atmospheric layers and evocative vocal elements, Msafiri captures the spirit of movement; it is equal parts physical, emotional and cultural.

    According to the song’s synopsis, the track is a “meditation on the journey itself: the places we leave behind, the spaces we move through and the experiences that shape us along the way.”

    Speaking about the single, OneDown said they wanted to create something that was “connected to life.”

    “Msafiri is about movement, discovery and the shared human experience that is the journey of life,” OneDown said. “We wanted to create something that feels connected to where we come from while resonating with dancefloors anywhere in the world. Working with L3GS challenged me to push my boundaries and make that happen.”

    African electronic music has seen a rise in popularity, especially in global markets such as Europe, where Kenyan stars like Sofiya Nzau have built audiences. With this release, Aduma Records show their belief in the hype.

    “With Msafiri, OneDown and L3GS deliver more than a club record, they present a meeting point between tradition and innovation, local identity and global appeal,” the label said in a statement seen by KBC Digital. “The collaboration underscores the growing influence of Kenya’s electronic music scene and signals the continued rise of artists shaping the future of African dance music on the world stage.”

    Adding to the sentiment, the trio dubbed L3GS said: “Our idea was to build a record that transports people through space and time… something that carries energy, emotion and a sense of adventure. Collaborating with OneDown and the rest of his Aduma team felt like a natural meeting of creative worlds.”

    Single is available to stream on all digital platforms.

  • Box Office Roundup: ‘Toy Story 5’ makes debut with best opening of the year

    Box Office Roundup: ‘Toy Story 5’ makes debut with best opening of the year

    Disney’s “Toy Story 5” romped to the best opening weekend of the year, raking in $312 M at the global Box Office, industry estimates showed Sunday, a record for the much-loved Pixar franchise.

    The sequel, which debuted over Father’s Day weekend, features Woody the cowboy, Buzz Lightyear and their gang of toys fighting for survival against competition from technology, particularly a tablet.

    “This is prime family moviegoing season and ‘Toy Story’ is delivering,” said industry analyst David A. Gross.

    Gross called it “another sensational opening for a Pixar series sequel,” noting that “Toy Story 5” had the best starting weekend for any film in the franchise, an estimated 37 per cent higher than “Toy Story 4.”

    That will likely make it the second-biggest animated movie opening of all time, behind Disney unit Pixar’s “Incredibles 2,” which made $182.7 million in June 2018, he said.

    “Family moviegoing has been leading the industry since it came roaring back from the pandemic in 2023,” Gross added. “A lot of the genre’s success is coming from sequels, live-action remakes of animation pictures, and hybrid combinations.”

    “Toy Story 5” returns with Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack voicing key characters.

    Showing in cinemas

    Runner-up in the weekend box office take was the Stephen Spielberg-directed sci-fi thriller “Disclosure Day,” which debuted the previous weekend.

    With an ensemble cast led by Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor, the action-packed Universal film follows an effort to reveal a decades-long cover-up of extraterrestrial visitations.

    It brought in an estimated $17 million, lifting its total to $78.2 million, according to estimates.

    In third place was Focus Features’ indie horror hit “Obsession,” which took in another $14 million in its sixth week out for a total domestic haul of $215.8 million, data showed.

    A24’s horror film “Backrooms” remained in fourth place with $7.3 million, taking its domestic total to $175 million in its fourth week out.

    Coming in fifth was Paramount’s “Scary Movie,” a reboot of the parody franchise, earning $6.7 million in its third week out.

  • ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ singer Bonnie Tyler out of coma

    ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ singer Bonnie Tyler out of coma

    Singer Bonnie Tyler is out of a coma but remains very unwell in intensive care, a spokesperson has said.

    The 75-year-old from Skewen, Wales, was rushed to hospital in Faro, Portugal, in May after emergency intestinal surgery and placed in an induced coma to aid her recovery.

    Her condition is improving, and doctors are “confident” she will recover, although progress is “slow”, the spokesperson added.

    Tyler’s summer tour will be cancelled or postponed, while some autumn dates are still hoped to go ahead.

    A statement posted on the star’s website said she “was no longer in a coma but remains very unwell and in intensive care in a hospital in Portugal”.

    “Although her condition is improving it is a slow process.”

    “Her doctors remain confident that she will make a good recovery but it is going to take time,” it added.

    The spokesperson thanked fans for their “huge outpouring of love and support” from around the world, adding that Tyler was aware of it and grateful for the good wishes.

    The statement also apologised for the disruption to her summer tour dates, saying: “We apologise to all of Bonnie’s fans and to our promoter partners for the disappointment that this will cause, but trust that you will understand and bear with us in these difficult circumstances.

    “We hope to see you next year instead.”

    Tyler’s team asked for privacy and said further updates would follow when there were significant developments.

    Tyler, born Gaynor Hopkins, grew up in Neath.

    She became an international sensation with Total Eclipse of the Heart in 1983, and 43 years later, the song passed the billion streams mark on Spotify.

    She was discovered by talent scout Roger Bell in a club in Swansea, and released her first single Lost in France in 1977.

    Five years later, she released ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ which spent two weeks on the UK number one list, and four weeks in the US.

    She received a Grammy nomination for the hit, as well as the album Faster Than the Speed of Night, and the single Here She Comes.

    Tyler also represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013, finishing 19th out of 26 acts, and was made an MBE for her services to music in 2023.

  • “Theatre is not merely entertainment,” Nyong’o says as he calls for funding in the Arts

    “Theatre is not merely entertainment,” Nyong’o says as he calls for funding in the Arts

    Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o has called for more investment in the arts following his attendance at the showing of ‘Lion King Junior: The Musical’, which began on June 11th to 14th at the Jain Bhavan Auditorium under the umbrella of the KitFest Trust.

    Mr Nyong’o attended the event to support his grandnephew Ler Jawar, who played Scar in the musical adaptation of the beloved film.

    Praising his nephew’s performance, the governor said: “The command of the stage, character interpretation and confidence exhibited were truly admirable.”

    Mr Nyong’o, whose daughter, Lupita Nyong’o, is one of Hollywood’s respected actresses, said he believes “theatre” was more than “entertainment.”

    “My passion for the performing arts is from a deep conviction that theatre is not merely entertainment, but a powerful instrument for nursing imagination, confidence, discipline and social consciousness among our youth,” he said.

    In his statement publicly shared on his socials, Mr Nyong’o also used the proverb of the mustard seed to urge educators and families to nurture the creative spirit of the youth.

    “Our responsibility as families, educators, and society is to create spaces where young people can discover and develop their gifts,” he said. “Investing in the arts is, ultimately, an investment in the future of our children and the cultural vitality of our nation.”

  • Author Chimamanda Adichie accuses hospital of stalling review into son’s death

    Author Chimamanda Adichie accuses hospital of stalling review into son’s death

    Prominent Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused a hospital in Lagos of obstructing an inquest into the circumstances surrounding her baby son’s death.

    A coronial inquest into the death of her 21-month-old son, Nknau, at Euracare hospital in January had been due to start in April, Adichie said.

    The author now alleges that Euracare has “stalled and muddied and obfuscated” over the inquest and has requested Nigeria’s Federal High Court block the inquiry.

    The BBC has approached Euracare for comment. An investigation panel set up by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria had previously found a possible case of medical negligence against the hospital.

    Adichie recently published a letter on social media which she had sent to the hospital’s director in April.

    It was her first public comment since the death of her son, who was one of twin boys born in 2024, using a surrogate.

    “If Euracare cares about the truth, then why create delays and distractions and now, finally, try to stop an inquest,” she wrote in her post.

    Explaining why she posted the letter, she wrote: “The ultimate and utter loneliness of grief is that only you can know the true depth of your despair.

    “I long for, at least, peace to mourn, but Euracare Hospital has robbed me even of that.”

    In her letter, Adichie said that the hospital noted her son’s death was from bacterial meningitis, to which she responded: “There was no medical evidence to make such a claim on his death certificate.”

    Adichie and her family have accused Euracare of negligence, saying medics denied Nkanu oxygen and gave him too much sedation, causing a cardiac arrest.

    The hospital has expressed its “deepest sympathies” over the death but denied wrongdoing, saying its care had been in line with international standards.

    In the letter, she accuses the hospital of providing incomplete medical records, which she described as “strikingly unprofessional”, adding that “one was inaccurate”.

    According to submissions made to the court by Adichie’s legal team, Nkanu had initially been admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lagos with what was described as a worsening but mild illness.

    Plans had been made to transfer him to the United States for further treatment at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins Hospital, before the toddler was referred to Euracare for a pre-flight inspection, including an MRI and a spinal tap, or lumbar puncture.

    Nkanu died on 7 January after undergoing the various diagnostic tests at Euracare hospital.

    Adichie has authored multiple award-winning novels including Half of a Yellow Sun (2006) and Americanah (2013), and has recently hosted panels of world leaders, including former US Vice-President Kamala Harris while she was promoting her autobiography and ex-Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel.

    She lives in the US but was in Nigeria for the Christmas holidays.

  • Trump hosts UFC cage fight for 80th birthday on White House lawn

    Trump hosts UFC cage fight for 80th birthday on White House lawn

    US President Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday with an extraordinary display of political machismo Sunday, staging a cage fight on the White House lawn hours after announcing a peace deal with Iran.

    In unprecedented scenes, Trump walked out of the Oval Office alongside Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) boss Dana White and headed towards the giant arena dubbed “The Claw.”

    On the way, the reality TV star-turned-president mounted the historic Truman balcony and saluted while the national anthem and 12 US military jets staged a noisy flyover of the White House.

    Trump then took his place on the South Lawn, beside the mesh-fenced cage called the Octagon where 14 fighters will beat each other bloody in the first professional sporting event ever held at the White House.

    He was cageside as the first fighter, Brazil’s Diego Lopes, won by a knockout.

    The icing on the cake for the birthday festivities of the oldest US president ever to take office had come earlier as he said a peace deal with Iran was now “complete.”

    But there could still be rain on Trump’s parade, with thunderstorms over Washington causing at least a one delay to the $60 million mixed martial arts tournament.

    The “UFC Freedom 250” event is linked to this year’s festivities for the 250th anniversary of US independence — but it also happens to fall not only on the US public holiday of Flag Day, but on the same day that Trump enters his ninth decade.

    ‘Bit of selfishness’

    Critics have derided the cage fight, saying it is a tacky debasement of the White House by a president who has repeatedly shattered norms during his time in power.

    Billionaire Trump has also faced criticism for staging the event amid a war with Iran that has sent global energy prices soaring and caused a major knock-on effect for US consumers.

    But fans gathered to watch the violent extravaganza on a giant screen on the Ellipse outside the White House defended the event.

    “I do think maybe it’s like a little bit of selfishness, but he is the leader, so he has a say,” Nyles Rife, a 35-year-old sports performance coach from Virginia, told AFP.

    “If I was a president, if I were to have a UFC event on my birthday, and it fell on the 250th anniversary/Flag day, I’d do the same. Why not?”

    Mark Toone, a 50-year-old US Marine Corps veteran, said the fight was “totally emblematic and representative of American culture.”

    “I think that it’s unfortunate that the opposition is spreading lots of lies and untruths about this event,” he said.

    The billionaire president, who has deep ties with a sport whose young male fans reflect his own political base, has defended the UFC event as a unique spectacle.

    “This is going to be an event you’re really gonna like,” Trump said as he hosted some of the muscle-bound fighters in the Oval Office in May.

    The White House says the UFC is bearing the entire cost.

    ‘Not a number I like’

    But there has also been criticism of the commercialisation of the event in the home of American democracy, with sponsors including Bud Light beer and betting market Polymarket having their logos emblazoned on the Octagon.

    The fight is also being broadcast exclusively by Paramount, the US broadcaster run by Trump ally David Ellison.

    The macho spectacle has meanwhile distracted from questions about Trump’s health as he ages.

    Trump loves to compare his virility to Democratic predecessor Joe Biden, who also turned 80 in office, but was forced to drop his bid for a second term after a disastrous debate with the Republican.

    But from bruised hands to a vein condition in his legs and apparent sleepiness in meetings, Trump has also had a number of issues, even though his doctor says he’s in excellent health.

    Trump admitted that he was “not happy about that birthday that I’m having,” in a video posted by one of his officials this week. “It’s not a number I like, but I’m here nevertheless.”

    For his last birthday, Trump oversaw an unprecedented military parade in Washington, marking the 250th anniversary of the US army.

  • Two Kenyans chosen for the 19th edition of Talents Durban

    Two Kenyans chosen for the 19th edition of Talents Durban

    Shandra Apondi and Michelle Abuti have been selected to participate at the Talents Durban taking place from October 9 to 12.

    The two will engage in an intensive programme of project-oriented and hands-on professional development initiatives, including Story Junction pitching sessions, masterclasses, mentorship engagements, and one-on-one consultations with leading industry experts.

    Mentors for the 2026 edition include Akosua Adoma Owusu, Amine Hattou, Bongi Ndaba, Comfort Arthur, Jihane Bougrine, Mayye Zayed, Nicole Schafer, Oris Aigbokhaevbolo, Ramadan Suleman and Razanajaona Ambinintsoa Luck.

    Speaking about the 19th edition, DFMI (Durban Film Market Institute) Director, Magdalene Reddy said they were committed to supporting African storytelling.

    “The Durban FilmMart Institute remains committed to advancing African cinema through strategic collaborations that expand international access to professional networks, markets, and sustainable industry opportunities,” she said. “Talents Durban is central to this vision. Now in its 19th year of partnership with Berlinale Talents, this partnership helps to contribute meaningfully to the long-term growth and sustainability of the African film ecosystem.”

    The two Kenyans were chosen from 551 applications from across Africa. This year’s cohort includes 26 participants, including six film critics selected across fiction features, documentaries, short films, episodic content, animation, and film criticism.

    Shandra Apondi’s project is a Fiction Feature called ‘The Words I Do Not Have (Kenya)’ while Michelle Abuti will take part as a film critic.

    Talents Durban is the African satellite programme of Berlinale Talents, which takes place concurrently with the Berlin International Festival.

    “At Berlinale Talents, we regard Talents Durban as an essential creative partner and a space where exceptional filmmakers and storytellers from across the African continent continue to push boundaries, challenge form, and expand the global cinematic imagination,” said the Heads of Berlinale Talents, Nikola Joetze and Tobias Pausinger of their continued collaboration with the continent.

  • Burna Boy, Shakira light up stadium as World Cup kicks off in Mexico

    Burna Boy, Shakira light up stadium as World Cup kicks off in Mexico

    During the World Cup opening ceremony on June 11, Colombian pop superstar Shakira, who herself is a veteran of past World Cups, lit up the stadium by partnering with Nigerian Burna Boy to perform “Dai Dai”, the official song of the tournament, bringing roars from the 80,000-strong crowd.

    Dancers twirled around a giant model of the World Cup trophy while fireworks streaked across the pitch as the noise levels ramped up.

    “It’s already a party in Mexico,” Ingrid Orozco, a 40-year-old supporter, told AFP.

    “It’s amazing,” said Gustavo Ramirez, 19.

    That noise got louder as Mexico charged to a dramatic 2-0 win over the overwhelmed South Africans, who had two players sent off.

    Legendary Maestro Andrea Bocelli performed the song “DNA” alongside EJAE from their collaboration also featuring Megan Thee Stallion and David Guetta
  • Budget 2026: Creative economy, digital infrastructure receive Ksh8.6 billion

    Budget 2026: Creative economy, digital infrastructure receive Ksh8.6 billion

    The government has allocated Ksh8.6 billion to accelerate Kenya’s digital transformation agenda and support the growth of the country’s creative economy, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi announced during the reading of the 2026/27 Budget on June 11.

    Presenting the budget estimates on Thursday, Mbadi described digital transformation as “a strategic enabler in the fourth industrial revolution” and said investment in creative industries was increasingly becoming a key driver of economic growth and youth employment.

    “Kenya’s creative economy encompassing film, music, fashion, arts, media, digital content, and design, has become a powerful engine for growth and youth empowerment. Investing in creative industries expands cultural exports and drives innovation.”

    The proposed funding is expected to build on the gains already recorded in the sector.

    Mr Mbadi told Parliament that Kenya had facilitated the production of 1,745 local and foreign films and trained 1,847 filmmakers to strengthen the country’s creative ecosystem and to position Kenya as a regional production hub.

    Additionally, the Cabinet Secretary said the government, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), had developed the NextGen initiative to provide recently graduated youth with paid internship opportunities in the private sector.

    To support the programme, Mr Mbadi said the government had committed an initial allocation of Ksh. 2B.

    In today’s allocation, the CS proposed Ksh 8.6B to accelerate digital adoption and inclusion, which included Ksh 4.3B for the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project, Ksh 1.3B for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the National Optic Fibre Backbone Infrastructure, and Ksh 528M for last-mile county connectivity projects.

    Additional allocations include Ksh 309M for government shared services, Ksh 382M for digital superhighway cybersecurity initiatives, Ksh 400M for the establishment of digital hubs, and Ksh 455M for ICT infrastructure maintenance.

    Mr Mbadi said the investments are intended to expand digital access, strengthen connectivity and create opportunities for young people in emerging sectors.

    “Digital connectivity and literacy are essential for education, healthcare, finance, markets, public services, and emerging digital opportunities.”